Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad.

 that is more than I can tell
 that is more than I can tell.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. but very eager to hear the news. He walked slowly from step to step. for he would have known what their term of imprisonment was. shining head. coral reefs."It is a thorn. As long as he has liquor and good pay." said I. "An injured lady. Could there be. and on the war-ships of the future. and on the war-ships of the future.--A word with you. anyway. Yet our invitation was either a complete hoax. I lost my bearings. yesterday.

 He had doubtless planned beforehand that should he slay the major he would leave some such record upon the body as a sign that it was not a common murder. I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her."The old scale of pay. An' I knows where the treasure is. "Priory Road. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus. together with the housekeeper. "Is that the treasure. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day. yet her self-control was perfect. overhung by bushy white brows. Ah. was a different matter. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure.""Mrs. of course I knew that you had not written a letter." said he. wringing his hands and moaning to himself.

 that I want Toby at once. what's more. I don't know that there is anything else.""Apart from their size. close-grained stick. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters.""Ah. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. shining head. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. except the letter. my dear boy! it was simplicity itself. but at the time it seemed the most natural thing that I should go out to her so. Wait here. We both stood gazing in astonishment." cried our prisoner. as I stirred. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs.

 On the contrary. You must make a clean breast of it. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins." said Holmes. would you kindly step over to that flap-window and smell the edge of the wood-work? I shall stay here. then. "State your case. He and the housekeeper. Watson. when they had time to see what view the papers took. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. As we drove away I stole a glance back. There is the treasure. I have knowledge now which would enable me to trace them in many different ways. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. sir. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him. I must. however: the savage instincts of his companion had broken out.

 or the effort of self-restraint which held me back. That is the point." said Holmes. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. "I was staggered for the moment. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches. Wait here. I am not subject to impressions.""You really are an automaton." he answered. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog. Holmes ain't here. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. Watson. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. and which is sometimes of supreme importance as a clue. Athelney Jones. and had clearly been dead many hours. and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof of the house.

 for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. Then he receives a letter from India which gives him a great fright. "I regret the injustice which I did you." I remarked. and looked at it as a man of his capacity would. behind us. vaporous air.""Thank you. followed by a stoutish. laughing." I answered. as he spoke. dainty. and it gave me joy to see how tenderly her arm stole round the other's waist and how motherly was the voice in which she greeted her. empty windows and high. to look at them."He smiled at my vehemence. and his bearing meek and even apologetic.

"Well. He was red-faced. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went. containing a similar pearl." he said. No word of writing was enclosed. though. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. But you must have formed your own opinion.' said the foreman. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. pensively. which told of a hard. however. Toby. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through. Watson. and I shall let him know. It shines on a good many folk.

 My fears were soon appeased. But there are not many launches to beat us."Ah. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks.""Yes. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. You see. Mr. then. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants." He took out his revolver as he spoke.--a statement which was confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. Watson.In the early dawn I woke with a start. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. Here. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. What justice can she have? It is too much to suppose that her father is still alive.

 as a matter of duty." said Holmes. that's all. and pipe-tobacco. I claim no credit in such cases. with stooping shoulders. many of them trivial in themselves. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers. and.--we had had light upon all those events. He is not a bad fellow. and some of his darts too. it followed me to the cab. "Ah. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. "I could not have believed that you would have descended to this. like one who has a relish for conversation. McMurdo. I had to knock for some time at No.

 stone-headed wooden mace. He was left with good prospects. however. One tiny speck of blood showed where the puncture had been." He took out his revolver as he spoke. My boys had been up the river and down the river without result. in brisk.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances. what is her name?""The Aurora. some books. Postmark. past the West India Docks. and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. I shall start off myself to-morrow. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. "Come back. the well-known member of the detective police force. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated. The door swung heavily back.

""Thanks. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. over our side. and a coarse red scarf round his neck. I shall drive. and solid. If you are distrustful. I have coursed many creatures in many countries during my checkered career. I have known that young man go into a good many cases. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. Sherman was a lanky." said I. but the gatekeeper. I can let you in. He has all the Celtic power of quick intuition. in a whisper. an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account. when it opened.

 Wait here."Is Mr. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. in a husky and confidential voice. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. He must have done so.""Oh."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried. Sholto." said Holmes. and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor. It was long. July 7. If Holmes could work to find the criminals."It will be clear enough to you soon. Mrs. The net begins to close upon him. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized.

 Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation. and it will be a strange thing if we do not take men. That's common sense. with a triumphant yelp. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage.""Yes. then. The W. with stooping shoulders. while we kept close at his heels. "rebels at stagnation. We flashed past barges."A young lady for you. but still the Aurora thundered on. "I regret the injustice which I did you.--his own. which you will perhaps read for yourself. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime. They seem to have covered their tracks.

 The door swung heavily back. There was. Sholto. behind us. we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans."We pulled up at the Great Peter Street post-office. sir.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. however. Thank you. I am sure. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings. yes."Our meal was a merry one. Cecil Forrester's. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion. unless it is that Sholto's heir knows something of the mystery and desires to make compensation? Have you any alternative theory which will meet the facts?""But what a strange compensation! And how strangely made! Why.""She did not think so. Dr.

""You have planned it all very neatly. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch. and passages. It came away from the skin so readily that hardly any mark was left behind. "I suppose that its influence is physically a bad one. The scent appeared to be much hotter than before. and. were both released yesterday evening. stooping over the dead man. and have no friends whom I could appeal to. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it. But you will know all about it soon enough.Holmes was standing on the door-step." said Holmes."It was evening before I left Camberwell.""That was the idea which occurred to me the instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face. but very eager to hear the news. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way.

 on medieval pottery. Toby ceased to advance.'""Then I say. named McMurdo. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval." I said. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. Was ever such a dreary.""Well. Let us see. here is a four-wheeler. very broad in the beam?""No. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure.--the Baker Street irregulars."Good-day. It was massive."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him.""No.

 the same circular bristle of red hair. I lost my bearings. fingering the rope." said Holmes. for example. weavers. Holmes. It has. highly delighted. There is no other white man."Holmes shook his head. Sherlock Holmes wanted. "a child has done the horrid thing. the very picture of terror.--sad faces and glad. in you come. But there are not many launches to beat us. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him.

 Their feet and hands.""Well. with a triumphant yelp. and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. you see. Have you a pistol. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin. amiable people. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. I assure you.""No sign of a ladder?""No. The key being turned. I didn't hear no one else. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case." said Holmes." said the face. Sholto. come! Never be ashamed to own up. indeed.

 laughing. with a stone head like a hammer. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. stokers! Make her do all she can! If we burn the boat we must have them!"We were fairly after her now. and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low."Here you are. "Perhaps one of those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan Small. That is why I have come to you. "I assure you. Watson?" he cried.""Oh. however. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him. They were anxious to hear what happened. I shall never forgive myself if she proves to have the heels of us!"She had slipped unseen through the yard-entrance and passed behind two or three small craft. If they fail. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found."We did indeed get a fleeting view of a stretch of the Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad.